My buddy and I hunted with them 2 years ago. Killed 4 bear in 4 days. Awesome trip. These guys are small and offer personalized service. They also guide in an are of Idaho that allows you to take 2 bear each (if you buy the extra $30 tag and pay some additional guide fees). You will not be disappointed in this outfitter.

I know you said not ready for Alaska yet. My trip to Prince of Wales Island was cheaper than using a guide in the lower 48. It was diy hunt, stayed at a place that provided meals and a vehicle. Total for the trip and taxidermy, having a rug made was $2900

POW is a draw hunt for non-residents and the application period for this fall and spring of 2017 ended in December with results posted last week. I know because I didn't draw Prince of Wales, but I did draw a Kuiu Island black bear tag for this fall. That said, POW is going to be on my draw applications every year until I do it once at least, seems like a fun, not so technically/logistically involved hunt (like Kuiu is going to be) and Jefeh's budget is about what I had figured for the hunt with flights and everything.

Idaho or Wyoming for a trip in the states. Saskatchewan or Alberta for Canada.

Stony Brook outfitters in Maine. They have bait hunts and chasing them with Dogs. They also have Spring hunts in New Brunswick. Went with him with dogs. Two hunters, first morning, split chase. 2 hours and two Bears shot. All of there Bait hunters shot nice Bears. Can't go wrong. Go to huntingpa.com. go to forum, search Stony Brook outfitters. Will see a lot of articles on him. Good Luck with your search. Any questions, send me a PM.

Me and a hunting buddy are putting together a fall bear hunt for late october on Franklin mountain in North Carolina. It's all my families land and it backs up to the black bear preserve. Lot's of big bears. Haven't thought about what to charge but if you wanna go it wouldn't be no $2900 that's for sure. We plan to fly up and stay either on the mountain with family or a hotel nearby. If you wanna see the area on a map google Allenstand NC. Take that highway just a hair southeast to Franklin mountain rd. head up to the top of the mountain is my grandmas house where my Uncle Tim lives. He will be our guide and knows those mountains like the back of his hand. You can walk out my grandmas backdoor all the way to the tennessee state line without leaving my families land or the cherokee national forest. Over 200k acres. Lot's of Bears gonna be a good trip. Pm if interested.If a bear is not taken from stand then yes my uncles all have bear dogs and can run them. So the odds of bringing a bear home are extremely high. We are looking at reserving the first 5 days of a 7 trip to stand hunting likely with a bow.